Comments on S.M.A.C. matters (memorandum)

Comments on S.M.A.C. matters, sent to Dr. Morgan and Mrs. Manning.
18/2/41.
1. Re the late Gustav Au Beck.
I have received a bill for funeral expenses for £33-4-0, and must confess that while I am most sympathetic to Miss Aileen Sparling (now Mrs. Au Beck) I am not at all happy at the thought that her late husband's funeral expenses are our liability.
A year or so ago, when she came to see me at the office with a view to getting the S.M.A.C. to assist her in getting him over here, I advised her against it, after having had a report from Miss Rosita Davson that he was very ill, probably had T.B., and could not live long. It seemed to me that any money and effort that could be used to bring a refugee over here should be expended on one who was in a fit state to benefit by it. The Committee at that time declined to give her financial assistance for that purpose.
However Miss Sparling was successful in getting him over here, through another Committee, I believe, and - quite rightly in my opinion - we gave him financial assistance on medical grounds.
Now, however, the question arises as to responsibility for his funeral expenses, and I am not at all satisfied that these, amounting to the large sum of £33, rightly fall upon us as Trustees of the S.M.A.C. The undertaker's bill seems to me to include items of unnecessary luxury - "lined with embossed swans-down and silk..." etc, and I feel that this would not look well to subscribers to " Medical Aid to Spain and the Spanish Refugees "
I am prepared to agree that we contribute something towards the cost of the funeral, but not to pay the full amount. In other words, I think we should help Mrs. Au Beck, but certainly not assume the whole burden which she quite voluntarily undertook herself.
Alternatively, if we assist her by paying the bill, it must be strictly as a loan, which she must take steps to repay - in part at any rate.
2. Re the Voltos.
I am in agreement with the proposal to pay them £3 per month - but am disturbed about their position, too. Can he not find some job? It seems odd that in these times he should not be able to get work in a factory or doing something like Fire Watching or as a Warden, and that a young fellow should be idle, altho I appreciate that there may well be special difficulties in the case of an alien.
3. Re Schevenels and the I.F.T.U.
Has not the time arrived when we should ask the IFTU for a Report on the £500 we gave them for a SPECIFIC PURPOSE? Has this been spent on Artfl. limbs? If so, how? Is there any balance unspent, and if so, should we not get it back, since they cannot use it for the purpose it was given? It should be remembered that this money was not given in France, but paid into their banking account with the C.W.S. Kingsway, so that it can not have been lost in France, and they can surely trace what has been spent through that banking account.
Perhaps Dr. Morgan and Mrs. Manning would discuss these points, and let me have their views.
George Jeger
George Jeger,
Lieut. R.A.P.C.,
Prince of Wales Hotel,
Southport, Lancs.

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Comments on S.M.A.C. matters, sent to Dr. Morgan and Mrs. Manning.
18/2/41.
1. Re the late Gustav Au Beck.
I have received a bill for funeral expenses for £33-4-0, and must confess that while I am most sympathetic to Miss Aileen Sparling (now Mrs. Au Beck) I am not at all happy at the thought that her late husband's funeral expenses are our liability.
A year or so ago, when she came to see me at the office with a view to getting the S.M.A.C. to assist her in getting him over here, I advised her against it, after having had a report from Miss Rosita Davson that he was very ill, probably had T.B., and could not live long. It seemed to me that any money and effort that could be used to bring a refugee over here should be expended on one who was in a fit state to benefit by it. The Committee at that time declined to give her financial assistance for that purpose.
However Miss Sparling was successful in getting him over here, through another Committee, I believe, and - quite rightly in my opinion - we gave him financial assistance on medical grounds.
Now, however, the question arises as to responsibility for his funeral expenses, and I am not at all satisfied that these, amounting to the large sum of £33, rightly fall upon us as Trustees of the S.M.A.C. The undertaker's bill seems to me to include items of unnecessary luxury - "lined with embossed swans-down and silk..." etc, and I feel that this would not look well to subscribers to " Medical Aid to Spain and the Spanish Refugees "
I am prepared to agree that we contribute something towards the cost of the funeral, but not to pay the full amount. In other words, I think we should help Mrs. Au Beck, but certainly not assume the whole burden which she quite voluntarily undertook herself.
Alternatively, if we assist her by paying the bill, it must be strictly as a loan, which she must take steps to repay - in part at any rate.
2. Re the Voltos.
I am in agreement with the proposal to pay them £3 per month - but am disturbed about their position, too. Can he not find some job? It seems odd that in these times he should not be able to get work in a factory or doing something like Fire Watching or as a Warden, and that a young fellow should be idle, altho I appreciate that there may well be special difficulties in the case of an alien.
3. Re Schevenels and the I.F.T.U.
Has not the time arrived when we should ask the IFTU for a Report on the £500 we gave them for a SPECIFIC PURPOSE? Has this been spent on Artfl. limbs? If so, how? Is there any balance unspent, and if so, should we not get it back, since they cannot use it for the purpose it was given? It should be remembered that this money was not given in France, but paid into their banking account with the C.W.S. Kingsway, so that it can not have been lost in France, and they can surely trace what has been spent through that banking account.
Perhaps Dr. Morgan and Mrs. Manning would discuss these points, and let me have their views.
George Jeger
George Jeger,
Lieut. R.A.P.C.,
Prince of Wales Hotel,
Southport, Lancs.